Advisory Opinions

Advisory opinion issued

On February 8, the Commission issued an advisory opinion, concluding that the National Sorghum Producers and Sorghum PAC and the state organizations constitute a federation of trade associations under Commission regulations, the checkoff system proposed in the request is permissible, and the state organizations may serve as collecting agents for Sorghum PAC. During the discussion, the Commission heard from the requestor.

Enforcement

RESPONDENTS: Trump Make America Great Again Committee and Bradley T. Crate, in his official capacity as treasurer (the Committee)

SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that the Committee improperly withdrew funds from the complainant’s checking account.

DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in consideration of Commission priorities. The Commission observed the small amounts allegedly in violation, and noted that the Committee refunded all but the complainant’s first contribution, which she had authorized.

RESPONDENTS: McClintock for Congress and David Bauer, in his official capacity as treasurer (the Committee)

SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that the Committee incorrectly described the purpose of disbursements for child support payments in disclosure reports filed with the Commission, and that it failed to disclose the type and purpose for a disbursement.

DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in consideration of Commission priorities. The Commission observed that the alleged violations were technical in nature.

Audits

On February 7, the Commission approved the Proposed Final Audit Report on the Hawaii Democratic Party, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012. The approved findings relate to the misstatement of financial activity, receipt of contributions that exceed limits, receipt of apparent impermissible funds, reporting of debts and obligations, recordkeeping for employees, failure to properly report media-related expenditures, and allocation of expenditures. The Commission directed the Audit Division to include in the Additional Issues section of the final audit the failure to properly report media-related expenditures-dissemination.

Upcoming Commission meetings and hearings

The open meeting previously scheduled for February 15 has been canceled.

Meeting dates are subject to change. Please contact the Press Office the week of the scheduled meeting for confirmation.

Press releases

Upcoming educational programs

February 21-22: Scottsdale, Arizona Regional Conference for candidates, parties and separate segregated funds. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.

Upcoming reporting due dates

February 20: February Monthly Reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2018 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website.

Additional research materials

Additional research materials about the agency, campaign finance information, and election results are available through the Library sectionof the Commission website.

The FEC is moving.

In March 2018, the Commission will be moving from its current location at 999 E Street, NW, Washington, DC to 1050 First Street, NE, Washington, DC. The Commission will begin receiving mail at its new address on March 5, 2018.

Join the FEC on Twitter and YouTube

Follow @FEC on Twitter to receive the latest information on agency updates, news releases, and weekly activity. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, FECTube: FECConnect on Demand, to watch instructional videos that have been designed to help candidates and committees comply with federal campaign finance laws. Note that the FEC is not currently available through other social media platforms at this time. The use of the agency’s logo, name, and likeness on other mediums has not been authorized by the FEC.

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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.